Aleix Espargaro happy to leave MotoGP if new Aprilia offer didnt come

On Thursday superiority of the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, Aprilia confirmed it had re-signed both Espargaro and Maverick Vinales for two increasingly years – with Autosport reporting the story first superiority of time.

This closes weeks of discussions between Espargaro and Aprilia dating when to March’s Indonesian GP, with the Argentina race winner whereas in April that initial talks had left him “sad” as both parties were far untied on terms.

Espargaro, whose new deal is set to be worth virtually two million euros per year, maintains his “desire” was unchangingly to remain with Aprilia for 2023, but had no problems unsuspicious 2022 as his last year in MotoGP had it come to that.

“I was not really looking for other real options,” Espargaro said on Thursday at Mugello. “I said from the whence my desire was to stay in Aprilia, so it was quite early still to find other options.

“I’m 32, I finger I still have a lot of energy to stay in this paddock, to show my potential.

“But if it was time to leave and try other things, I was happy – and without Argentina plane more.

“But finally, I’m very happy and grateful for the opportunity Aprilia requite me for the next two years.”

Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Aprilia is interested in expanding its roster of bikes for 2023, with Leopard Racing whereas last month that it is keen to take over Suzuki’s grid slots next year and field RS-GPs.

Current Yamaha satellite squad RNF has moreover been linked to Aprilia for next year.

Asked for an update on its satellite plans for 2023, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola says its deadline to find a team is “around this time” – but says expanding its presence on the grid is not “something that we have to do”.

“I would like to tell you that the wordplay is very soon, but in a way it will be very soon if it’s a yes or a no considering the deadline we gave is virtually this time,” Rivola said.

“So, if it’s possible, this is something I’m pushing for, and Aleix is pushing me to do it.

“If it’s not possible then we will protract as we did so far.

“It’s not that it’s something that we have to do, it’s an opportunity for our visitor to grow, it’s an opportunity to grow the bike, the riders, the engineers. It’s an opportunity, but to make it properly we need to have a yes or no in very few days.”